Originally Posted by Topoford

I have been sober for 10 days and have been to a meeting each day. I have lots of literature, Big Book, Living Sober, Twelve Steps, etc. I have been thinking a lot about Step 1 and I am wondering if I need to do it with a sponsor? I have become quite friendly with some of the women I have seen at different meetings and do feel comfortable with 2 of them. Thoughts? I am feeling wonderful! No physical issues, no cravings, yet! I am spending quite a bit of time in reflection and feel ready and motivated to move forward! Thanks!

Originally Posted by Step12

If I were to work with you the first thing I'd want to know is everything about how you've been controlling your drinking without the steps and then we need to talk about the consequences that occurred even know you were trying to control it we have to realize that we have come to whether it's a high or low bottom that's why were herepick at least a temporary sponsor and I do it right now whether it's me or someone else you know better but I can get easy step one it's the easiest step have you admitted you were powerless over alcohol and if you haven't then make a list as to why believe that you're still power over alcohol and that's where we would start

Originally Posted by Friend Of Bill

The fourth step an autobiography the directions are between pages 64 and 69 it's a fact finding fact facing process not a feeling finding process we simply put it on paper go to the next one put it on paper go to the next one don't dwell don't reminisce don't daydream you get caught up in all these and feelings and emotions and close the book we simply face the facts we list people with whom we are angry we ask ourselves why we are angry and it's usually our self-esteem fear Security personal relationships sexual relationships pocketbook and ambition which are affected after making a three columns I'm resentful at the cause 8 words or less affects my we move on example I'm resentful at my dad he lied to me affects my self esteem fear Security personal relationship now the key to the future is the fourth column the turnaround without the fourth column we are on able to do steps 5 6 7 9 10 11 the fourth column simply asks where was I selfish what did I want or not want where am i dishonest how did I justify being angry the lie I told myself where was I self-seeking did I confront you or argue put you down in front of others we're stuffed the feelings what was I afraid of I'm resentful at my dad he lied to me it affected my self esteem fear Security personal relationship where was a selfish I didn't want him to lie where was I just honest I never lied where was I self-seeking I stuffed the feelings what was I afraid of not being loved now there's a fear column then a sex inventory I put each relationship down and ask myself 10 questions where was I selfish dishonest inconsiderate whom did I hurt did I unustifiably arouse jealousy suspicion or bitterness where was I at fault what should I have done instead was it selfish or not it was about my conduct my behavior in each relationship this process helps me become convinced that God can remove whatever self has blocked me off on him it sets us free step 5 is where we feel where we go deep where we become free step 10 11 and 12 are the maintenance steps we practice these three steps one day at a time for the rest of our lives self inventory pray and meditation and help others the process of facing and get rid of the things within myself which are blocking me enables me to discover one day at a time